Applying complex network theory to the understanding of high-aspect-ratio carbon-filled composites

This work demonstrates that the theoretical framework of complex networks typically used to study systems such as social networks or the World Wide Web can be also applied to material science, allowing deeper understanding of fundamental physical relationships. In particular, through the application of the network theory to carbon nanotubes or vapour-grown carbon nanofiber composites, by mapping fillers to vertices and edges to the gap between fillers, the percolation threshold has been predicted and a formula that relates the composite conductance to the network disorder has been obtained. The theoretical arguments are validated by experimental results from the literature.

Success factors of regional airports: the case of Oporto airport

Oporto Airport (OPO) is a success story among European regional airports. This success is expressed, among other ways, in the rapid expansion of routes and the strong growth in demand, as well as in the recognition of the airport’s quality by its users. Over the past decade, the volume of traffic increased by almost 3.4 million passengers, from the 2.6 million recorded in 2002 to over 6 million in 2012. In this paper, we analyse some of the factors that influenced the success of Oporto Airport, namely the expansion of capacity and improvements to infrastructure, the increase in the number of routes and the increased demand in response to the new capacities of this airport-airlines set. Particular emphasis is given to the role of low cost carriers (LCC) in the growth of Oporto Airport and to strategies of attracting more traffic. Some of the main opportunities and challenges that this airport will face in the coming years are also discussed.

Destinos turísticos transfronteiriços: uma abordagem ao consumidor

Tourism activities are among the most relevant drivers for economical growth and development in various economies. Every year, competition increases tourist destinations (Farhangmehr & Simões, 1999), making it an increasingly complex and geographically diverse range of activities (Pearce, 1991).Such relevance is reflected in the proliferation of studies in the overall area known as tourism, under various perspectives and backgrounds. Previous studies conducted in such contexts suggest that cross-border regions are an attractive and desirable idea, yet requiring further theoretical and empirical research (Studzieniecki & Mazurek, 2007). The new configuration of many cross-border regions calls for a debate on issues concerning its development, raising up important dimensions, such as, organization and planning of common tourism destinations. In particular, there is still a gap in the understanding of destination management in cross-border regions and the customer profile and motivations. Overall this research aims at attaining a deeper understanding of the profile and behavior of consumers in tourism settings, addressing the predisposition for the destination. To address our question we will take an interdisciplinary perspective bringing together inputs from areas, such as, marketing, tourism and local/regional economics. We developed a theoretical model entailing the following constructs: involvement, place attachment, destination satisfaction and loyalty. We then establish potential the relationships among these variables. We suggest that involvement has a positive and direct effect in the two dimensions of place attachment, as well as indirectly, through the construct of satisfaction. Additionally, satisfaction has a direct effect on destination loyalty. Implications for future research are presented.

O Mercosul e a integração regional dos mercados acionários argentino e brasileiro

Este estudo analisa o comportamento recente dos mercados acionários argentino e brasileiro. Nosso objetivo é avaliar o nível de integração entre esses mercados nos períodos anterior (1982-1990) e posterior (1991-1995) à criação do Mercosul. Os resultados mostram clara distinção entre os dois períodos analisados. No período anterior ao Mercosul, os mercados latinos encontravam-se segmentados, não mantendo qualquer relação com os fatores globais que utilizamos. Para o período posterior ao Mercosul, encontramos evidência de que os mercados argentino e brasileiro estão mais integrados entre si, mesmo depois de se controlar para a integração com os mercados americano e chileno.

The undergraduate level (1st study cycle) as a fundamental platform/standard for the development of Urban and Regional Planning in higher education programs

LUDA is a research project of Key Action 4 "City of Tomorrow & Cultural Heritage" of the programme "Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development" within the Fifth Framework Programme of the European Commission

Análisis político-institucional del sistema de gestión regional: el caso de la región de Tarapacá en Chile

Este artículo tiene como objetivo central analizar, describir y elaborar propuestas en el ámbito del mejoramiento de los procesos y mecanismos político-institucionales del sistema de gestión regional, incluyendo los niveles regional, provincial y comunal. El objetivo se orienta a reconstruir y analizar el proceso de implementación del modelo de gestión regional, considerando las relaciones que establece con los distintos actores involucrados a lo largo de dicho proceso y sus resultados, desde la priorización comunal hasta la regional. Se trata, fundamentalmente, de un análisis del proceso social de toma de decisiones de inversión territorial, del rol que asumen los distintos actores en los distintos niveles, de las relaciones que establecen entre ellos, y de los factores que facilitan y obstaculizan el proceso y sus resultados. El análisis supone relaciones humanas en un marco institucional, que el interés radica en contrastar el diseño teórico del proceso con la realidad de su implementación, y que la participación de los actores en dicho proceso está mediatizada por su conciencia interna y realidad simbólica.

Investimento público em educação fundamental e a qualidade do ensino: uma avaliação regional dos resultados do Fundef

Desde 1998, o financiamento da educação pública fundamental no Brasil está submetido a critérios de vinculação de receitas governamentais regulamentados pelo Fundef (Fundo de Manutenção e Desenvolvimento do Ensino Fundamental e de Valorização do Magistério). Entre os objetivos do fundo está o de garantir recursos mínimos para o investimento público em educação fundamental, assegurando a qualidade do ensino oferecido e, por conseguinte, a melhora na proficiência dos alunos. Com base nos dados de volume de recursos investidos no ensino fundamental via Fundef e nos resultados das Saebs (sinopses estatísticas da educação básica), este artigo analisa os efeitos dessa política pública sobre o desempenho dos alunos da rede pública de ensino fundamental brasileira. Os resultados apontam a importância do aporte financeiro e da qualificação do magistério para o aperfeiçoamento da qualidade da educação pública.